UN demands Israel comply with court ruling on barrier

The UN General Assembly voted overwhelmingly on Tuesday in favor of a resolution demanding Israel heed a world court ruling to tear down its controversial separation wall in the West Bank.

The resolution was passed in a vote of 150 to 6, with 10 countries abstaining.

It demanded that Israel, "the occupying power, comply with its legal obligations as identified in the advisory opinion" of the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

The resolution also called on other countries "not to render aid or assistance" to Israel in constructing the 600-km barrier.

The ICJ, based in The Hague, Netherlands, ruled on July 9 that the construction of the wall being built by Israel in the occupied Palestinian territory "are contrary to international law."

It stated that Israel is obliged to halt the project, dismantle the existing sections and make reparation to Palestinians for all damage caused by the construction of the wall.

Source: Xinhua